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Caesar not thinking it a proper time for animadversion, and regarding them
greatly on account of their valour, declined all public notice of the
affair, and contented himself with reprimanding them in private, admonishing
them to expect every thing from his friendship, and to measure their future
hopes by the experience of what he had already done for them. This rebuke,
however, disgusted them greatly, and very much lessened their credit with
the whole army, which they easily perceived, as well from the raillery they
were often forced to bear, as in consequence of the secret reproaches and
sense of their own minds. Thus prompted by shame, and perhaps imagining they
were not cleared, but reserved to a more favourable opportunity, they
resolved to desert, to try their fortunes elsewhere, and search for new
friendships. Having imparted their design to a few of their clients, whom
they judged fit instruments for so black a treason, they first attempted to
murder C. Volusenus, general of the cavalry (as was afterwards known, when
the war was over), that by so signal a piece of service they might the more
effectually recommend themselves to Pompey's favour. But finding that design
attended with great hazard, and that no favourable opportunity offered for
putting it in execution, they borrowed all the money they could, under
pretence of reimbursing the troops, and making restitution; and having
bought up a great number of horses, went over to Pompey, with those whom
they had made acquainted with their design.

C. Julius Caesar. The Commentaries of Caesar. William Duncan. St. Louis. Edwards and Bushnell. 1856.

The chapter breaks in this translation have been changed to align with those in the 1901 Latin edition of the De Bello Civili, ed. Renatus du Pontet.

This text was converted to electronic form by optical character recognition and has been proofread to a medium level of accuracy.

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